Cumberland Valley Trout Unlimited Wins the 2011 Gold Trout Award

It is with great pride and pleasure that I have the privilege of announcing here on Paflyfish that Cumberland Valley Trout Unlimited is the 2011 recipient of the Gold Trout Award. The Gold Trout Award is a national recognition to only one of about 400 national TU chapters annually.

CVTU’s efforts across the Cumberland Valley are well known and include the Rivers Conservation and Youth Camp, restoration of Big Spring Creek, land preservation and sinkhole remediation along Letort, stream improvement work on The Run, removal of old dams on Yellow Breeches, and many more outstanding endeavors many of which you’ve probably heard about.

If you’re a member of CVTU (or any TU chapter) – kudos to you for fighting the good fight. If you’re not a member, your local chapter could use your help. If you, like me, love the unique streams of the Cumberland Valley, please consider joining or supporting CVTU. We have many hands-on work projects every year and conduct a first rate fundraising banquet and appreciate donations.

I’m also proud to announce that my friend and fellow forum member Justin Pittman (JPittman) is the new President of CVTU. We’ll be in good hands.

Further down, please take a look at the press release provided courtesy of CVTU Vice President John Leonard for more information. By all means, visit the chapter website for additional information. If you have questions, you’re also welcome to PM me as well.

Detailed information and photos of the Chapter’s activities leading to the Gold Trout Award can be found on our web site - http://cvtu.homestead.com

Dave Weaver (“Fishidiot”)

Press Release - The Cumberland Valley Chapter of Trout Unlimited

The Cumberland Valley Chapter of Trout Unlimited received the Gold Trout Award from Trout Unlimited at their national meeting held recently in Bend, Oregon. The Gold Trout Award is given annually to only one of about 400 national TU chapters in recognition for its work.

Trout Unlimited is conservation organization committed to protecting, restoring, reconnecting, and sustaining our country’s cold water streams. The Cumberland Valley Chapter of Trout Unlimited (CVTU), founded in 1969, is one of the oldest of nearly 60 TU chapters in Pennsylvania. The Letort, Yellow Breeches, Big Spring, and other streams in our area are known nationally and internationally as world-class trout streams. South-central Pennsylvania is also one of the most rapidly growing areas in the state. CVTU maintains continuing vigilance against threats of our precious cold water resources by working with elected officials, state agencies, and allied conservation organizations to ensure that development proceeds in an environmentally responsible way.

In a nine year project working in partnership with the Big Spring Watershed Association and the PA Fish and Boat Commission, 2,129 linear feet of Big Spring have been restored. The restoration consisted of planning, mapping, removing dams, deepening and narrowing of the channel, installing water staging devices, and riparian planting. The cost of the project was over $300,000 for materials, equipment, and labor, which involved countless volunteer hours.

CVTU worked to have two major low-head dams – Spangler’s Mill and Green Lane Farms – removed by Gleim Environmental from the Yellow Breeches. Gleim also performed necessary bank restoration, reinforcement, and stabilization. CVTU worked with local high school environmental clubs to plant over 250 native trees and shrubs as a riparian buffer on the stream.

When a property developer announced his intention to develop a tract of farmland next to the Exceptional Value section of the Letort Spring Run, CVTU worked with him to ensure that the water runoff plan would not adversely affect the stream. CVTU purchased eleven acres of property immediately adjacent to the Letort to preserve the riparian buffer. The purchase allows a third of a mile of stream and wetland to remain in its natural state. The chapter has also consulted with the Pennsylvania Department of Transportation on repair work for the Interstate 81 bridge spanning the Letort and with the Letort Regional Authority on upgrading the bicycle and nature trail.

CVTU started the Street to Streams program as part of the Juvenile Court Judges Commission initiative to build productive ties between various youth agencies and the community. The program is coordinated by the Cumberland County Youth Action Team, which identifies a group of 10-15 at-risk juveniles connected with Cumberland County agencies such as Juvenile Probation, the District Attorney’s Office, Drug and Alcohol, and Children and Youth Services. The participants are partnered with CVTU mentors for a two-day introduction to fly fishing and stream ecology. The goal is to use fly fishing as a vehicle for providing young people with positive adult role models who can help build confidence and self-esteem while interesting them in a worthwhile activity. The program has attracted considerable media attention and there is interest in using it as a model for similar programs in other Pennsylvania counties.

The presence of the United States Army War College at Carlisle Barracks presented CVTU with a unique opportunity to engage high-ranking officers in a program of fly fishing and conservation. Colonel Douglas Matty, an avid fly fisherman and member of the 2011 War College class, established a War College fishing club, the EAGLES (Expeditionary Angler’s Group for Leader Enhancement) and worked with CVTU in developing an introductory course which was first presented last fall and again in the spring. The courses are held on the War College campus and include sessions on aquatic entomology, tackle and knots, casting, and fly tying. Approximately twenty officers attended each course and another is scheduled later this month for this year’s incoming class.

CVTU members have formed an internal group “The Feet In The Stream” (FITS) gang. The group works on projects such as invasive weed removal, raking spawning beds, assisting in float stocking streams, and monitoring and repairing sink holes on Letort Spring Run. They recently completed the first of nine projects on “The Run, the stream created by the discharge of Children’s Lake in Boiling Springs.

Other ongoing CVTU projects include working with Project Healing Waters where members take wounded Iraq / Afghanistan war veterans fly fishing as part of their rehabilitation. Since 1994, CVTU has hosted The Rivers Conservation and Fly Fishing Youth Camp for boys and girls ages 14 – 17. The camp has become a model for similar camps across the country. CVTU members host Reel Recovery, fly fishing with terminally ill and recovering cancer patients. CVTU administers the Pennsylvania Fly Tying Championship held each year at the Eastern Outdoor and Sports Show. CVTU sponsors Trout In The Classroom with many area schools. Members also work as mentors in area high school fly fishing clubs and as counselors with scout groups.

Detailed information and photos of the Chapter’s activities leading to the Gold Trout Award can be found on our web site - http://cvtu.homestead.com